Remember: “Vaccination” (drawing up the vaccine in a syringe and injecting it into the animal) is not thesame as “immunization” (the animal mounts an immune response) and “vaccination + immunization”never adds up to 100% protection from infection, even in the best of circ*mstances.The vaccines mustbe handled correctly (proper mixing, right temperature) and cattle in good health (low stressenvironment, good plane of nutrition, trace mineral needs met, minimal parasites present) in order togetthemostprotection fromvaccines.
The provided list of vaccines anddewormersis for example purposes only and should not be consideredanendorsem*ntof productsbythe UniversityofKentucky.
CowsandBulls4-6weeksPriortoBreeding
Viral respiratory vaccine (IBR, BVD, PI3, BRSV) and 5-way Leptospirosis. If using bulls forbreeding,includeCampylobacter fetus(Vibriosis).If the cowisopen atthetimeofvaccination,selectamodified livevaccine(ListC1Aor B).If the cow is pregnant at the time of vaccination or less than 30 days before breeding, select akilled vaccine (List C2A or B)to reduce the risk of accidental abortion or interference withpregnancy.Certain modified live vaccines can be used in pregnant animals but only if usedstrictly according to label directions. Products with “FP” in the name stands for Fetal ProtectionfromBVDvirus.
7 way or 8 way Clostridial (Blackleg)-necessary if under 2 years of age. Optional as the cow agesdependingontheexposureriskof theherd.(List C5 A-D)
Deworm-perform at least once per year (spring and possibly fall) and twice a year if under 2years of age or thin body condition.If only once is possible,deworm in Spring (May). **Dewormat least 2 weeks prior to bull turn out or before estrus synchronization for artificial insemination(AI) due to temporary impact on hormone release in females.** Deworming in the fall helps toreduce the number of worms that overwinter in the cow but is typically not as important asspringwhen larvae areactive inthe pasture.(ListC6 Aor B)
Tagcattle foridentificationand/orre-tagthosethathave losttags.
Breeding Soundness Exams are highly recommended for herd bulls and should be conducted 60-75dayspriortoturnout.Bulls needthesamevaccinationsanddewormingasthe cow herd.
OpenHeifersatleast6 weeksPriortoBreeding
Viral respiratory vaccine (IBR, BVD, PI3, BRSV) with 5-way Leptospirosis.If using bulls forbreeding, includeCampylobacter fetus(Vibriosis).Modified live vaccines are preferred(List C1Aor B) for heifers.A Fetal Protection (FP) product is encouraged.Follow all label directions; somevaccines require a booster and some do not.Timing is very important-if less than 6 weeks awayfrombreeding, useakilledproduct(List C2Aor B).
7or8-wayClostridial(Blackleg)(ListC5A-D)
Deworm.(List C6 A and/or B).A heifer has increased nutritional demands because she is stillgrowing herself, trying to reproduce, and young animals do not have the immunity to parasitesthatadultcattlepossess.Averyeffectivecombinationisto useanoral(white)dewormerfromlist C6Aandan injectableor pour-ondewormerfrom list C6B,given atthe same time.
Calves1-3monthsofa*ge:
Identifywith tag
Vaccinate with 7 way Clostridial (Blackleg) vaccine-Although the calves are young, this dose ofvaccine will initiate (“jump start”) the immune process, especially cell-mediated immunity. Donotgiveblacklegvaccineatbirth.(ListD5 A-D)
Dehorn
Castrate-theearlierthisiscompleted,the better. Avoidthe first24hoursafterbirth.
OptionalPractices:
- Implant steers at the time of castration (unless you plan to sell calves in an organic ornaturalmarket)
- Viral Respiratory Vaccine-Killed(List D2)or MLV(List D1 but follow label directions carefullyregardingMLV usage innursingcalves).Intranasalvaccinesaregreatforyoung calves.
- Pinkeyevaccine (administerinlatespring/summerjustbeforeflyseason)(ListD7)
- Deworm-Begin deworming calves at 4-8 weeks old depending on time of year and expectedlevelofpasturecontaminationwithparasitelarvae-consultaveterinarian.(ListD6AorB)
- Test for BVD-PI (ear notch)-Consult your veterinarian if this is something to consider. If BVDhas been diagnosed in an animal from your farm or there is a history of unexplainedabortions, stillbirths, weak calves or other reproductive loss in the herd, testing all calves isthe proven first step to find persistently infected (PI) animals.Best to wait until the calf is atleast14 daysof agetotakean ear notchsample.
Calves2-3weekspre-weaning(best)orshortlyafterWeaning:
Consult your veterinarian and check your marketing plan since many programs (for example:CPH45)specifywhatvaccinesmust beadministeredandwheninorder to participate.
Administer vaccines 2-3 weeks pre-weaning for best protection.If calves cannot be processed pre-weaning, weaning, then begin this protocol after weaning when the stress is essentially over (calves are eating,drinking, and the majority have stopped walking and bawling).Booster vaccines if required by label. Ifcastrations and dehorning were not done earlier, these practices need to be completed as soon aspossible.Tetanusvaccinationisstronglyrecommendedwhenperforming “late” castrationofolder, heavier bulls; especially if banding.Consult your veterinarian regarding whether to use a tetanus toxoidor antitoxin.
Viral respiratory vaccine (IBR, BVD, PI3, BRSV)-Killed(List D2)or MLV(List D1)but followlabel directions regarding MLV usage in nursing calves if vaccinating before weaning.If usingkilled, a booster is required.A majority of buyers prefer calves that have received 2 doses ofMLV.Seepoint #3a belowforanadditionalviralrespiratoryvaccineoption.
For Heifers to be kept as Replacements:Viral respiratory (as above) withCampylobacterfetus(Vibriosis) and 5-way Leptospirosis vaccine included.Booster according to labeldirections-MLVisstronglyrecommendedfor femalestobekeptin theherd.(ListC1B)
- Vaccinate withMannheimiahaemolyticatoxoid. This vaccine, commonly known as a“Pasteurella shot” or “Pneumonia shot” is given pre-weaning in anticipation of thestressassociatedwithweaning.(ListD3).Many combinationMannheimiahaemolyticatoxoid and MLV Respiratory VirusVaccines are available such as Pyramid 5 +Presponse(BI), Vista Once (Merck), orBovi-Shield Gold One Shot (Zoetis)(List D4)Some of the combination products listedare actually two separate products with one administered in the nose (intranasal)andtheother portionis injected.
- Deworm with an endectocide(List D6A)for internal and external parasites. A “drench” or“white” dewormergiven by mouth(List D6B)may also be used but a second product isrequired for external parasite (lice/flies/ticks) control. The best option is to administer aninjectable (or pour-on)dewormer(List D6A)and a drenchdewormer(List D6B)at the sametime.7- or 8- way Clostridial vaccine (Blackleg).Clostridial vaccines may be purchased alone or incombination with pinkeye, “somnus” and other antigens.Follow label directions regardingtheneedfora booster.(List D5 A-D)
- 7- or 8- way Clostridial vaccine (Blackleg).Clostridial vaccines may be purchased alone or incombination with pinkeye, “somnus” and other antigens.Follow label directions regardingtheneedfora booster.(List D5 A-D)
Optional:
Implant-Follow label directions if re-implanting.Do not implant females to be used forbreedingpurposes.Do notimplant ifplanningto sellonthenaturalororganicmarkets.
Pasteurellamultocidaand/orHistophilussomni(formerly known asHaemophilussomnus)vaccines-consult yourveterinarianforrecommendations.
Implant-Follow label directions if re-implanting.Do not implant females to be used forbreedingpurposes.Do notimplant ifplanningto sellonthenaturalororganicmarkets.
Pasteurellamultocidaand/orHistophilussomni(formerly known asHaemophilussomnus)vaccines-consult yourveterinarianforrecommendations.
Cowsaftercalvesareweaned:
Check cows for pregnancy by palpation, ultrasound, or blood test.If open, strongly considercullingher.
Checkforotherproblems:Eyes, teeth,udder,feetandlegs,bodycondition,disposition.
Scours Vaccine(List C8)–Administer to pregnant cows 1-3 months prior to calving.Initially thisis a two-shot series then it is given annually.Products vary on when to administer them sofollow labeldirections carefully.
If leptospirosis is a persistent problem, cows may need a booster of 5-way Leptospirosis vaccinesuchasSpirovac(Zoetis)forcontinuedstrongprotectionthroughoutpregnancy.
AdditionalConsiderations:
*Modified Live Vaccines (MLV) provide fast, broad immunity and are excellent stimulators ofcell-mediated immunity.They are preferred in weaned calves and usually required by mostpreconditioned sales.However, only use modified live vaccinesin pregnant cows and innursing calvesif the cows were vaccinated with MLV, usually within the last 12 months (checklabel for specific requirements; some are less than 12).If this requirement is not met, a killedvaccinemust beused untilthe cowis open andthecalf is weaned.
Killed respiratory virus vaccines must be given twice (usually 2-3 weeks apart) if it is the firsttime the vaccine is administered.Annual boosters are required after the initial two-shotsequence. Killed vaccines are safer than MLV vaccines but they do not protect as well nor last aslong.
If heifers have been allowed to stay with the herd bull until weaning, most likely some arepregnant.A prostaglandin injection (for example:Lutalyse®) can be given to the heifers oncethey have been away from the bull a minimum of 10 days.These injections work best in earlypregnancy (<75 days)sodonot delay administrationifneeded.
Try to minimize the number of injections given at one time as much as possible.Multiplevaccinations cause neck soreness.Multiple Gram negative vaccines (for example, leptospirosis,vibriosis,pinkeye)may cause cattletospikeafeverandgooff feedforashortperiod oftime.
Keep good vaccination records.Record date, vaccine name, serial numbers and expiration datesat aminimum.
Utilize effective fly control and pinkeye vaccine beginning in late spring. Follow label directionsregarding booster vaccines. If using feed/mineral additives for fly control, make sure to startthem30 daysbeforefly seasonandkeepitin until30days after flyseasonisover.
Anaplasmosis- Kentucky is among the list of states approved by the USDA for sale of theanaplasmosis vaccine marketed by University Products LLC of Baton Rouge, La. The vaccine isused in cows in all stages of pregnancy with no problems being reported.The recommendationis a 2 dose regimen given 4 weeks apart with annual revaccination required. Protectiveimmunity should develop within 7-10 days according to the manufacturer. The primary or initialdose istypicallygivento bredheifersandyoungbulls. Consultyourveterinarianforoptions.
Lettersinavaccinenamemean:
IBR,BVD, BRSVandPI3:Diseasesincludedinaviralrespiratory vaccine.
An“FP” inthevaccine namestandsfor“fetalprotection”andmeansprotectionagainstfetalpersistentinfectionandabortionduetotheBVD virus.
An “HB” in the vaccine name stands for the strain ofLeptospiraknown as “Hardjobovis” that is acommoncauseofreproductivefailureincattle.
“HS”standsfor“Histophilussomni”(formerlyknownasHaemophilussomnus)
“L5”standsforthe 5strainsofLeptospirosis.
“V”stands for“Vibriosis”
Vaccinationprogramsmustbe designedaroundthespecificneedsofyour cattle.Talktoyourvet!
